medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (2. June) is the feast day of:
The martyrs of Lyons (d. 177) 48 Christians of Lyons, including
their bishop (Pothinus) were denounced as Christians, imprisoned,
tortured, and finally executed. Eusebius reproduced a contemporary
description of their martyrdom (ascribed to St. Irenaeus), which is
the earliest and fullest authentic set of martyrdom proceedings.
Erasmus (d. c. 303) Erasmus (or Elmo) was bishop of Formiae in
Campagna; he was martyred during Diocletian's persecution. Legend
confuses him with a Syrian bishop and tells that E. became a hermit
to escape the persecution. He was captured, tortured, survived being
shoved in a cauldron of boiling pitch, was freed by an angel and
taken to Illyricum---where he was so successful that he was again
arrested and tortured---and saved by his angel again and taken to
Formiae. He finally died of his wounds there. E. is one of the 14
Holy Helpers and is patron of sailors.
Marcellinus and Peter (d. 304) A Roman priest and exorcist, arrested
during Diocletian's persecution. They entertained themselves while
in prison by converting a lot of people, including their jailer and
his wife and daughter. M and P were eventually beheaded. Pope
Damasus wrote an epitaph for their tomb, and Constantine built a
church in their honor.
Stephen of Sweden (d. c. 1075) Stephen was a monk of Corvey,
ordained and sent as a missionary bishop to Sweden. He was very
successful---until he was murdered by some faithful followers of
Woden, who didn't appreciate his efforts to suppress their worship.
Nicholas the Pilgrim (d. 1094) Nicholas was a Greek who immigrated
to Italy. He wandered from town to town, carrying a cross and
chanting "Kyrie eleison." He attracted large crowds---some regarded
him as a holy man, others as a lunatic. But after he died in Trani a
number of miracles were reported at his tomb and the "holy man"
school of thought won. N. was canonized by Urban II in 1098.
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